City council narrows down road projects

Next on agenda is deciding in which order projects should get attention

Next on agenda is deciding in which order projects should get attention

November 30, 2007|By Jackie Burke, jburke@aberdeennews.com

Road projects have been narrowed down, and the city is trying to determine the order in which they will be finished. Robin Bobzien, city engineer, met with the City Council on Thursday in a work session to discuss the projects and how they will be financed. Four scenarios were presented to the council - two of which avoid borrowing money for at least two years. “We're trying to get everything done by 2012,” Bobzien said. The list of projects includes finishing Fairgrounds Road, Eighth Avenue North, Brown County 19 from Eighth Avenue North to Sixth Avenue, the Second Street overpass and North Roosevelt Street from Eighth Avenue North to Fairgrounds Road. “I'd like to get a piece of Eighth Avenue done next year,” Bobzien said. “But there are a number of different possibilities.” Each scenario given to the council suggests doing the west half mile of Fairgrounds Road from Fifth Street to Dakota Street. Aberdeen Mayor Mike Levsen said it's great that Bobzien and Karl Alberts, city finance officer, found a way to fund several projects without having to borrow money. Councilman Lloyd Hodgin agreed. “I like the idea of delaying the financing decision,” he said. Bobzien said so many factors, such as city sales tax revenue and project needs, can change in the next two years that delaying the decision might be a good choice. Bobzien said he likes option one and option four of the scenarios he provided. Council members decided to take a week to look over the projects and suggested timelines and discuss which plan to go with at next week's budget meeting with Bobzien. Option one breaks the road projects down like this:

The western half mile of Fairgrounds Road from Fifth Street to Dakota Street and Eighth Avenue Northeast from Jackson Street to the four-lane portion of Eighth Avenue in 2008.

The eastern portion of Fairgrounds Road from Fifth Street to Dakota Street and Eighth Avenue Northeast from Kline Street to Jackson Street in 2009.

Brown County 19 from Eighth Avenue to Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue North from Fifth Street to Kline Street in 2010.

Eighth Avenue North bypass to the business loop and the Second Street overpass in 2011.

Roosevelt Street from Eighth Avenue to Fairgrounds Road and Eighth Avenue North from the business loop to Fifth Street in 2012. Option four breaks the road projects down like this:

The western half mile of Fairgrounds Road from Fifth Street to Dakota Street and the Second Street overpass in 2008.

Fairgrounds Road from Fifth Street to Dakota Street, Eighth Avenue Northeast from Kline Street to Jackson Street and Eighth Avenue North from the business loop to Fifth Street in 2009.

Brown County 19 from Eighth Avenue to Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue North from Fifth Street to Kline Street in 2010.

Eighth Avenue North from Dakota Street to the four-lane portion in 2011.

Roosevelt Street from Eighth Avenue to Fairgrounds Road and Eighth Avenue North bypass to the business loop in 2012. Bobzien said each scenario was designed to allow for the best traffic routes. Once the council makes a decision, the engineering department will start the design process, Bobzien said.